Computer Audiophile member "SGB" sent me this one. A tube amp with USB DAC! This would make a very cool office / desktop system. The price is very good as well, $790! Read more for details.
From Gini Systems
Audio Space mini Galaxy I
Industry's First & Only tube amp with USB port and D/A!
. World's smallest full function integrated tube amp
. World's first PC/laptop ready tube integrated amp
. Class AB Push-Pull design
. Separate power supply
. Headphone jack
. Point-to-point wiring
. Adjustable negative feedback
. EL84 output tubes
The mini Galaxy I is the latest mini integrated amp from Audio Space that once again leads the pack in mini tube systems in the industry. This little beauty packs more in one tiny package than imaginable but never lose a beat in sound quality from the original mini system. The workmanship and aesthetic are topnotch as always.
The mini Galaxy puts out 12 watts (rms) per channel and can be used as a headphone amp. It has two groups of RCA input for CD and AUX and comes with a separate power supply which ensures smooth and detailed amplification with minimal cross interference. The new onboard USB port along with the built-in digital-to-analog converter, the first in the industry, provides the flexibility of using a PC or laptop computer as source. The mini Galaxy I optionally comes with a matching pair of speakers. The "mini is small but has it all" mantra lives on!
I haven't heard this unit so I can't comment on the sound, but for the price it wouldn't hurt too bad to try one out.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Comments
Posts: 3
Galaxy Mini
I've written this company for a review sample and hope to demo it. This is one in a series of affordable vacuum tube integrated amps with on-board DACs. As they grow in number I am beginning to get a picture of what "sounds muscial" and all the others which do sound "tuby" except the midrange is now "mudrange"
To risk repeating myself, as music file downloads are on the rise, CD sales drop. Music is now so easy to capture for a few pennies per track, music file servers, albeit your PC, IPod, IPhone, MP3 player etc, all mini servers need amplication.
And then theres your PC which has the potential to store thousands and thousands of hours of music. 1-Terabyte hard drives are as low as $125. A USB cable is all that's required to get that digital signal from your PC into a amp like the Mini.
Match this with a pair of decent speakers which can also be had for a few hubdred dollars and you have an Audiophile grade system for less then your PC. Those whom criticize the Chinese built integrated tube amps probably haven't listened nor opened any up. I have three on review all with excellent build quality, parts spec and ergonomically they are really cool.
Most importantly these $400 ~ $900 products sound good, I mean imaging, sound-stage and musically involving good. This website continues to provide an excellent service for those unaware they too can be experiencing rather then simply listening to music.
Don't forget the Tecon Model 55 and GLOW amp both with DACs both single ended!